UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The School of Hospitality Management (SHM) in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development (HHD) has received a series of gifts from recent alumni, bolstering the support available to students. In the following months, this series will spotlight recent alumni who have decided to give back to their alma mater, supporting students following the path they helped trailblaze.
As one of the longest-running hospitality programs in the nation, SHM provides students with the opportunities to learn technical knowledge and interpersonal skills necessary to meet the needs of an ever-changing industry.
"The school provides a dynamic environment for students preparing for a successful career in the industry by offering opportunities for engaged scholarship," said Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner Endowed Director and Associate Professor of SHM. "Students learn from experienced faculty and participate in interactive learning that encourages the development of vital leadership skills. Donors are vital partners in supporting these opportunities, and gifts from recent alumni are especially meaningful affirmations of the value of the education we offer.”
The alumni featured in this series are all helping the school sustain its longstanding priorities, including establishing scholarships, providing emergency aid to students who face unexpected crises, funding seed grants to get research off the ground, and opening up internship opportunities.
David Irish, a 2019 graduate of the school, has created the David Irish ‘Grit’ Award to recognize HHD undergraduates pursuing a degree in the School of Hospitality Management who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrate leadership through their industry-based work commitments.
Irish said he always knew that his passion was in hospitality management. He started his career as a cashier and a dish washer, eventually working his way up to management in the food industry. When he started at Penn State, he worked in various pubs and restaurants in State College, including Kildare's Irish Pub, Field Burger and Tap, Happy Valley Brewing Company and Champs. In his junior year, Irish joined Panda Restaurant Group and served as the general manager for their location on campus in the HUB-Robeson center. Irish credited Panda for much of his success, explaining that running a restaurant while committed to a full-time course load taught him grit.
“I would work, go to class and, after class, go back to work throughout the week," he said.
After graduation, Irish continued with the company, becoming a training leader, multi-unit manager, and, now, the area coach of operations for the northeast south region. He has worked for the company in his current capacity for the last three years.
On Oct. 11, 2023, Irish was presented with the Emerging Professional award from the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society, an affiliate program group of HHD that was founded with the purpose of strengthening all hospitality professions and enhancing the reputation of the hospitality management program.
Irish said he was honored to receive the award, and he credited both SHM and Panda for the accolades.
“I think it was very generous of the school and alumni society to recognize me as such a newly graduated student," he said. "The award is not only a reflection of myself, but more a tribute to both the school and to Panda Restaurant Group. Neither organization puts limits on you based on seniority or how long you’ve been in the industry, but instead rewards those that work hard. I am grateful to both the school and Panda for everything they’ve done for my career.”
Irish said he decided to pay it forward and to hopefully inspiring others to demonstrate their grit and make the most of their time at Penn State with his recently established award.
“The award is for students who are working and paying their way through college or showing career progression while they are still students," Irish said. "It’s something they’ll be able to put on the resume outside of just a grade-point average that reflects all of their hard work. I know there are a lot of students who have to work to pay for their school and I wanted to reward that hard work.”
Quadri-Felitti expressed her gratitude for Irish’s decision to invest in the future of his alma mater.
“I had the privilege to meet and know David as a student here at Penn State," she said. "He epitomized what is a Penn State ethos of a strong work ethic, and he persevered in both his academics as well as his professional growth. It’s exciting to see him inspire others to succeed along a similar path.”
This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting the philanthropy of recent SHM alumni. Click here to read more about the ways recent SHM graduates are supporting their alma mater.
These contributions advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients, and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.